39-year-old striker Cristiano Ronaldo is on the list of 23 Portuguese players for Euro 2024 announced today, and will break a series of records if he continues to play.
The Portugal squad for Euro 2024 was announced by coach Roberto Martinez today, May 21, with nine stars currently playing in the Premier League, including Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias of champion Man City and Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot of Man Utd. The oldest player called up is Porto’s 41-year-old midfielder Pepe. Ronaldo, at age 39, has the highest seniority on the team with 206 matches.
Ronaldo currently holds the record of competing in five Euro tournaments, in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020. The Portuguese striker will break this milestone himself if he is in good shape and competes at Euro 2024. Former Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas also appeared in five Euros, but only appeared in 2004, 2006, 2016 and did not play in 2000 and 2016.
!["Ronaldo](https://vcdn1-thethao.vnecdn.net/2024/05/21/portugal-cristiano-ronaldo-eur-5963-9267-1716301746.jpg?w=0&h=0&q=100&dpr=1&fit=crop&s=JMKWx7A1E4gsilS3-gsOvA)
Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in 25 matches at Euro – all records at the tournament, culminating in the championship in 2016. In particular, he scored two goals at Euro 2003, one goal in 2008, three goals in 2012, three goals in 2012. goals in 2016 and five goals in 2020. Ronaldo is also the only player to score 41 goals in Euro qualifiers, scoring a total of 55 goals in Euro qualifiers and finals. The 39-year-old striker also holds the record of playing 2,153 minutes, winning 12 matches and appearing in 16 matches as captain at Euro.
Ronaldo can break many milestones at Euro 2024, including becoming the oldest player to score at the tournament, surpassing Ivica Vastic’s peak of 38 years and 257 days. He can also surpass Leonardo Bonucci (34 years and 71 days) to become the oldest player to score in the Euro final, if he and Portugal reach the final match in Germany this summer.
Lothar Matthaus holds the record for being the oldest forward player, not including goalkeeper, to appear in the Euro (39 years and 91 days). Jens Lehmann is the oldest player to appear in the Euro final (38 years and 232 days), and Arnold Muhren is the oldest player to win the Euro (37 years and 23 days). These are other records that Ronaldo can aim for.
!["Coach](https://vcdn1-thethao.vnecdn.net/2024/05/21/AFP-20231012-33Y68LN-v1-HighRe-5287-1199-1716301746.jpg?w=0&h=0&q=100&dpr=1&fit=crop&s=bH1kJJGRDXi6gWah2BNdtw)
Ronaldo currently plays for Al Nassr with the highest salary in the world – more than 200 million USD, has 14 assists and 53 goals through 53 matches from the beginning of the 2023-2024 season for the club and team. In particular, the Portuguese striker leads the top scorer race with 33 goals in the Saudi Pro League, seven goals more than Aleksandar Mitrovic. It is almost certain that Ronaldo will become the first player to win top scorer in four countries, including Saudi Arabia, England, Italy and Spain.
Portugal will play friendlies with Finland on June 4, Croatia on June 8, Ireland on June 11 before attending Euro 2024, where they are in Group F with the Czech Republic, Türkiye and Georgia.
List of 26 Portuguese players participating in Euro 2024
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Patricio (AS Roma), Jose Sa (Wolves)
Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Barca), Diogo Dalot (Man Utd), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Man City), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting), Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira (PSG), Nélson Semedo (Wolves)
Midfielders: Bernardo Silva (Man City), Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd), João Palhinha (Fulham), Joao Neves (Benfica), Vitinha (PSG), Otavio (Al Nassr), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal)
Forwards: Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Francisco Conceicao (Porto), Joao Felix (Barca), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Pedro Neto (Wolves)